Snow cleared from roads and parking lots contains debris, trash, sand, salt and other contaminates that are harmful to water quality. While snow can be stored by surface waters at least 25 feet from the high water mark, it should NEVER be dumped into waterbodies.
Due to the contaminates and debris snow contains, dumping snow into waterbodies without a permit is illegal. RSA 485-A:13,I(a) prohibits discharging wastes to surface waters without a permit.
For more information about proper snow removal and disposal, please review the NH Department of Environmental Services Fact Sheet on Snow Disposal Guidelines and contact the Laconia Conservation Technician at 603-527-1264.